Closure and spring clip assembly adapted for use with a test tube and the like



4, 1959 w. .1. NUNGESTER 2,897,992

CLOSURE AND SPRING CLIP ASSEMBLY ADAPTED FOR uss WITH A TEST TUBE AND THE LIKE Filed May 27, 1957 INVENTOR.

WALTER J. NUNGESTER ATTORNEYS United States Patent CLOSURE AND SPRING CLIP ASSEMBLY ADAPT- ED FOR USE WITH A TEST TUBE AND THE Walter J. Nungester, Ann Arbor, Mich., assignor to Aircraft Precision Products, Inc., Oak Park, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application May 27, 1957, Serial No. 661,726

11 Claims. (Cl. 21538) This invention relates generally to a closure and spring clip assembly'adapted for use with a test tube and the like.

One of the essential objects of the invention is to provide an assembly of the type'mentioned comprising a closure adapted to be sleeved upon the open end of a test tube, and means for holding said closure against displacement when sleeved upon the test tube, including spring means straddling a wall of said closure and adapted to frictionally engage the outer surface of the test tube.

Another object is to provide a closure of the type mentioned that is formed by a compression molding operation and is capable of withstanding high temperatures and of resisting breakage While being handled and in use, as well as deterioration.

-' Another object is to'provide a closure formed from a phenolic resin of the high impact type and of any desired color, or capable of being impregnated with any coloring' substance, so that closures of various colors may be provided for identification purposes, for example when used in pharmaceutical laboratories.

Another object is to provide a closure of suflicient length to provide ample finger or gripping area so that the fingers will not come in contact with the test tube.

Another object is to provide a closure with means, preferably in the form of a spring metal clip, engageable with a test tube and the like to effectively hold the closure in closed position upon the open end of the test tube.

Another object is to provide a clip of the type mentioned that is preferably formed from tempered stainless steel so that it will not rust or corrode and that is capable of retaining its spring tension, without losing any of its properties, after being subjected repeatedly to high temperatures.

Another objectis to provide a clip that Will accept automatically the normal variations of test tube diameters prevalent with the dimensional tolerances established by the test tube manufacturers when making test tubes, and that therefore will compensate for any irregularities in the diameters of the test tubes to which a closure equipped with such a spring clip is applied.

Another object is to provide a clip that is readily attached to and removed from the closure, whereby the clip is easily replaceable by the user if worn out, or damaged or lost while in use, and whereby the closure may be used with or without such clip, as desired.

Another object is. to provide a closure and spring assembly that is simple in construction, economical to manufacture, and efficient While in use.

Other objects, advantages and novel details of construction of this invention will be made more apparent as this description proceeds, especially when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

-Figure 1 is an elevational view of a closure and clip assembly embodying my invention applied to the open end of a test tube;

;Figure 2 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view through the construction shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the closure and clip;

Figure 4 is an elevational view of the clip;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view through the closure.

Referring now to the drawing, A is a cylindrical test tube, B is a cylindrical closure therefor, and C is a spring metal clip detachably carried by the closure and engageable with the test tube to hold the closure in closed position on the test tube. 9

As shown, the test tube A is formed of glass and has a closed lower end 10 and an open upper end 11.

The closure B is preferably formed from a'phenolic resin of the high impact type and has a closed upper end 12 and an open lower end 13. Within the closure B and integral therewith at the juncture of the closed end 12 and the side walls thereof are three centrifugally spaced substantially flat substantially semi-circular pads 14 that are engageable. with the open end 11 of the test tube when the closure B is sleeved thereon to fully closed position. These pads 14 space the closed end 12 of the closure from the open end 11 of the test tube and provide therebetween air breather passages.

The clip C is preferably formed from a relatively mar row strip of tempered stainless steel and is substantially U-shaped in configuration. Preferably, this clip straddles a side wall 15 of the closure and is engageable with aside wall 16 of the test tube A to retain the closure B in closed position upon the test tube. As shown, the clip C has a bowed inner leg portion 17, a substantially straight outer leg portion 18, and an intermediate open return bentcon fleeting The bwed inner leg p l? 1:11? tends gitudinally of the inner surface of the side wall 15 of the closure B and is frictionally engageable with the outer surface of the side wall 16 of the test tube A. I The substantially straight outer leg portion 18 is disposed in substantially surface to surface relation With the outer surface of the side wall 15 of the closure and has 'at its; free end an inturned or laterally projecting portion 20 that is received in and detachably interlocked with a notch or recess 21 in the exterior or outer face of the closed end 12 of the closure. The intermediate open re turn bent connecting portion 19 is received in and de tachably interlocked with a notch or recess 22 in an edge of the closure B at the open end thereof.

One of the features of the present construction is the ease by which the clip C may be quickly assembled with -.or removed from the closure B. For example, when assembling the clip C with the closure B, the clip is tially placed in straddling relation upon the wall 15 of the closure, and then is slid lengthwise of said wall until the open return bent or folded connecting portion. 19 is received within and detachably interlocked with.the notch or recess 22. Then the laterally bent end portion 20 of the outer leg 18 of the clip is received within and detachably interlocked with the notch or recess 21 in the closed end of the closure. In this position the clip C is eiiectively held in assembled relation with the closure, and

the bowed inner leg portion 17 of the clip is in operative position to frictionally engage the outer surface of the test tube when the closure B is sleeved upon the open end of the test tube.

When it is desired to remove the clip C from the closure B, all that is necessary is to first disengage the later- I ally bent end portion 20 from the notch or recess 21 and I then slide the clip lengthwise of the wall 15 of the closure toward the open end 13 thereof, and then remove the clip 'ing'breakage' while being handled'and inuse, as well as deterioration. Preferably, the phenolic resin of the high impact' type contains eithercotton or asbestos linters.

In the process of manufacturing the closure, the phenolic resin, preferably in powdered form (Trade #B.M.G. 2011), is placed within a mold and" then. is subjected to approximately-3000 lbs. per square inch pressure and? to approximately 360 F. temperature: The mold containing such resin is maintained for a predetermined; period oftime (approximately two minutes) atapproximatelythe temperature mentioned, by the use of electric heating coils within the mold.

Actually the resin molded closure B- is less expensive to manufacture than a closure madeofaluminum or steel, and is notaifected' detrimentally' by the high heat ranges to which it is subjected while in use. Also, such resin molded'closure B may be anycolor desired for identification purposes. In fact, the resin itself may be any desired color, or the resin may be impregnated-with-any coloring substance as desired, so that closures of various colors maybe produced; This is-especially advantageouswhen the closures B are used in pharmaceutical laboratories.

Likewise the clip C is capable of maintaining its spring tension, without losing any" of its-properties, after being subjected repeatedly to'high temperatures. Inasmuch as it is made of tempered stainless steel, such clip C will not; rust orcorrode. Due to its spring characteristics the clip C; will also accept automatically the normal variations of 'test tube diameters prevalent with the dimensionaltolerances; established by the test tube manufacturers when making test tubes, and thus such clip C will compensate forany irregularities in the diameterof the test tube to which the closure B is applied and will effectively hold the closure in closed position on the test tube re.- gardless of such irregularities. In this connection, it will be, appreciated that the closure B equipped with. the clip C may be readily appliedto the open end 11' of the test tube by merely sleeving the closure B upon the test tube. Asthe closure B slides lengthwise ofthe test tube to closed position the bowed portion 17 of the clip will fric-. tionally engage the adjacent outer surface of the test tube and accordingly will efiectively holdthe closure in any position to which it is adjusted on the test tube. When adjusted to fully closed position on the testtube the pads 14 within the closure will engage the open end 11 of the test tube and thereby will space the. closed end 12. of the closure B from the open end 11 of the test tube A, and

accordingly will provide therebetween breather PBS:

for holding said closure against displacement when;

sleeved upon the test tube, includinga 'springclip, strad:

dlins and extending. gitudinally of a side wal of raidv o the inner go s id cl p hav ng ngi udinal y owed. p rtion. ad p ed to xte lengthwise of nd ir s scally enga th outer. surface of sai est tube. an the outer leg of said clip having an, inturned pgrti l 1? aoha y en i a e es n d lo ur an -re a n said clip in assembled relation with said closure.

,2. In combination, a cylindrical closure formed from plastic material and adapted to be sleeved upon the open end of a cylindrical test tube, said closure'being closed at one end and open at the other, the exterior of said closed end having a recess therein, an edge of the open endof said closure having a recess therein, and means for holding said closure against displacement when sleeved upon the test tube, including a. separate substantial y shaped spring clip of tempered. st in ess tee emova y straddling and extending longitudinally oi a side wall of ai cylindrica o u e, the nne eg of a d lip having al ng udi all owe p on a p oe d le use o nd fr otional y eng g he out r urt oe' of e. ide wal oi sai st tube. the uter eg of said ip r.-

' portion of said clip being received in the recess in the edge of the open end of said closure to prevent accidental movement of said clip circumferentially of said cylindrical closure, and said outer; leg having at its free end an inturned portion received in the recess in the exterior of the closed end of said closure to retain said clip in assembled relation with said closure and thereby to prevent accidental withdrawal of said return bent portion f m sai recess aid also of th 5 11?- 3. In c0rnbina i0n, a yl n rical lo re. adapte to. b sleeved upon the open end of a cylindrical test tube, said l e e do ed at on d nd op n at. e. th r the exterior of said closed end having a recess therein, an edge of the open end of said. closure having a recess therein, and means for holding said closure against displacement when sleeved upon the test tube, including a separate substantially U-shaped spring clip removably straddling and extending longitudinally of a side wall of said cylindrical closure, the inner leg of said clip having a bowed portion adapted to extend lengthwise ofand fr'ictionally engage the outer surface of one side wallofsaid test tube, the outer leg of said clip extending lengthwise of the outer surface of a side wall' of said cylindrical closure, the intermediate open return bent portion of said clip being received in the recess in the edge of the open end of said closure to prevent accidental movement of said clip circumferentially ofsaid cylindrical closure, and said outer leg having atits free end an inturned portion received in the recess'in the exterior of the closed end of said closure to retain said clip in assembled relation with said closure and thereby to prevent accidental withdrawal of said return bent portion from said recess in said edge ofthe closure.

4. In combination, a cylindrical closure adapted to be sleeved upon the open end of acylindrical test tube, said closure being closed at one end and open at the other, the exterior of said closed end having a recess therein, and means for holding said closure against displacement when sleeved upon the test tube, including a separate substantially U-shaped spring clip r-emovably straddling and extending longitudinally of a side wall of said cylindrical closure, the inner leg of said clip having av bowed portion adapted to extend'lengthwise of and frictionally engage, the outersurface of one side wall of said test tube, the outer leg of said clip extending lengthwise of the outer surface of a side wall of saidclosure and having at-its free. end an inturned portion received in the recess in the ex: terior of the closed end of said closure to retain said clip in assembled relation with saidclosure.

5. In combination, a cylindrical closure adapted. to. be. sleeved upon the open end of a cylindrical vtest tube, said closure being closed at one end and open at thcothcr, and means for holdingsaidclosure against displacement when sleeved upon the'test tube, including a separate substan,- tially lJ-shaped spring clip removably straddling and ex-. tending longitudinally of a side wall of said cylindrical closure, the inner leg' of said clip having a bowed portion. adapted to extend lengthwise of and frictionally engage the outer surface of one side wall of said test tube, the outer leg of said clip extending lengthwise of the outer surface of a side wall of said cylindrical closure and hav: ing at its free end an inturned portion engaging the ex: terior of the closed end of said closure to retain said clip in assembled relation with said closure.

6. In combination, a closure adapted to be, sleeved upon the open end of a container, said closure being closed at one end and open at the other, and means for holding said closure against displacement when sleeved upon the container, including a separate substantially U-.shaped spring clip removably straddling and extending longitudinally ofa side wall of said closure, the inner leg of said clip having a bowed portion adapted to extend lengthwise of and frictionally engage the outer surface of one side wall of said container, the outer leg of said clip extending lengthwise of the outer surface of a side Wall of said closure and having at its free end an inturned portion engaging the closed end of said closure to retain said clip in assembled relation with said closure.

7. In combination, a cylindrical closure adapted to be sleeved upon the open end of a cylindrical container, said closure being closed at one end and open at the other, and means for holding said closure against displacement when sleeved upon the container, including a separate substantially U-shaped spring clip removably straddling and extending longitudinally of a side wall of said cylindrical closure, the inner leg of said clip having a bowed portion adapted to extend lengthwise of and frictionally engage the outer surface of one side wall of said container, the outer leg of said clip extending lengthwise of the outer surface of a side Wall of said closure and having means engaging the closed end of said closure to retain said clip in assembled relation with said closure.

8. In combination, a cylindrical closure adapted to be sleeved upon the open end of a cylindrical receptacle, said closure being closed at one end and open at the other, and means for holding said closure against displacement when sleeved upon said receptacle, including a clip detachably connected to said closure, said clip being adapted to be quickly assembled with and quickly removed from said closure, said clip having inner and outer leg portions respectively upon the inner and outer surfaces of one side Wall of said cylindrical closure, said inner leg portion having a part adapted to frictionally engage the outer surface of one side wall of said receptacle, a connection between said inner and outer leg portions detachably interlocked with an edge of said closure at the open end thereof, and means at the free end of said outer leg portion detachably interlocked with the exterior of the closed end of said closure and retaining said inner and outer leg portions and the connection therebetween against accidental displacement.

9. In combination, a cylindrical closure formed from plastic material and adapted to be sleeved upon the open end of a cylindrical receptacle, said closure being closed at one end and open at the other, and means for holding said closure against displacement when sleeved upon said receptacle, including a clip formed from a strip of tempered stainless steel and detachably connected to said closure, said clip being adapted to be quickly assembled with and quickly removed from said closure, said clip having inner and outer leg portions respectively upon and extending lengthwise of the inner and outer surfaces of one side wall of said cylindrical closure, said inner leg portion having a longitudinally extending bowed part adapted to frictionally engage the outer surface of one side wall of said receptacle, a connection between said inner and outer leg portions engaging an edge of said closure at the open end thereof, and means at the free end of said outer leg portion engaging the exterior of the closed end of said closure and retaining said inner and outer leg portions and the connection therebetween against accidental displacement.

10. in combination, a cylindrical closure adapted to be sleeved upon the open end of a cylindrical receptacle, said closure being closed at one end and open at the other, and means for holding said closure against displacement when sleeved upon said receptacle, including a clip detachably connected to said closure, said clip being adapted to be quickly assembled with and quickly removed from said closure, said clip having substantially parallel inner and outer leg portions, a portion connecting said leg portions, and a portion projecting laterally from said outer leg portion and disposed at substantially right angles thereto, said outer leg portion extending lengthwise of an outer surface of said closure, said connecting portion extending transversely of an edge of said closure at the open end thereof, said inner leg portion extending lengthwise of an inner surface of said closure and having a part adapted to frictionally engage an outer surface of said receptacle, and said laterally projecting portion extending over the exterior of the closed end of said closure and retaining said inner and outer leg portions and said connecting portion against accidental displacement.

11. In combination, a cylindrical closure adapted to be sleeved upon the open end of a cylindrical receptacle, said closure being closed at one end and open at the other, and means for holding said closure against displacement when sleeved upon said receptacle, including a clip detachably connected to said closure, said clip being adapted to be quickly assembled with and quickly removed from said closure, said clip having substantially parallel inner and outer leg portions, means connecting said leg portions, and means projecting laterally from said outer leg portion, said outer leg portion being upon an outer surface of said closure, said connecting means being detachably interlocked with an edge of said closure at the open end thereof, said inner leg portion being upon an inner surface of said closure and having a part adapted to friction-ally engage an outer surface of said receptacle, and said laterally projecting means being upon the exterior of the closed end of said closure and retaining said inner and outer leg portions and said con necting means against accidental displacement.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,459,579 Dingrnan June 19, 1923 1,688,622 Johnson Oct. 23, 1928 2,287,746 Morton June 23, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS 52,789 France June 12, 1944- 

